起初我是打算用quality of life代替livelihood的, 但现在还是觉得将民生译成livelihood较好。

参考FDA's Mission Statement ( http://www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/mission.html ), FDA的责任就是protecting the public health, 手段是assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of ……drugs……food……, 所以用assure 和 protect 分别不大。 FDA的这些工作总括来说就是一种administration, 不知将“监管”译为administration是否合适。 我觉得administration(行政管理) “管”的意思重些, supervision(指导) “教” 的意思重些。(Supervision means the act of watching over the work or tasks of another who may lack full knowledge of the concept at hand. Supervision does not mean control of another but guidance in a work, professional or personal context. --- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supervision)

试译:
Food and drug are vital to the people’s livelihood
Stringent administration is essential in protecting the public health

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刚发现“国家质量监督检验检疫总局”英文是 General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China, 監督是译成supervision的。